60-40 kick-starts talks

Arbitral ruling follows We cannot go to war because we cannot simply afford it. We cannot afford violence and trouble because it is not the norm of the day

President Rodrigo Duterte and his men are coming prepared to China late this month to bring up with Chinese President Xi Jinping the maritime conflict starting with an offer for the sharing of energy exploration projects in the disputed areas as a sweetener.

The Chief Executive said in a speech in Romblon that the proposal of a 60-40 sharing, “in our favor,” would be a good start to initiate greater cooperation with China over the disputed areas.

“I hope that it would graduate into ways to (talk about) the arbitral ruling peacefully,” the President said.

Mr. Duterte was referring to the 2016 award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated the nine-dash line claim of China over nearly the entire South China Sea.

“You know, if you study the sentence very, very carefully, if we cannot go to war because we cannot simply afford it, we cannot afford violence and trouble because it is not the norm of the day,

just to kill people for disagreement,” he said.

The Department of Energy announced the other day new rules for the farming of exploration contracts under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program (PCECP) for the areas of dispute that included Recto Bank, which is believed rich with hydrocarbon resources.

Crucial talks

“Then, let us talk (with them) about what is in there, which you have to share with us,” the President added.

Mr. Duterte noted that any “expeditions in the marine oceans of our economic zones will have a direct bearing on that arbitral ruling.”

“I will not allow a gratis agreement, but I will not engage in a fight,” the President indicated.

“That’s why I’m going to China, and the first thing that I will bring out before them would be the arbitral ruling,” he said.

“The way it will be done, so we do not go to war, is to tell them, ‘You have always been saying we do not want to go to war. We do not have to go to that trouble and let us resolve this controversy peacefully,’” he indicated.

The Chief Executive had consistently stated in his speeches that although he was setting aside the arbitral ruling, he would have to raise it to the Chinese before his term ends.

“So, I will ask them, as what you said and what we have agreed upon, we agreed to resolve this problem peacefully. Now, how do we start to solve the problem peacefully? There has got to be something (that can be done),” he added.

“They wanted not to talk about it, but I said no. If I’m not allowed as a president of a sovereign nation to talk whatever I want to talk about, then let us not rather talk altogether,” the President insisted.

Special companion

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, meanwhile, said he is accompanying the President in the six-day visit to China from 28 August to 2 September.

The Senator said he is one of those who received an invitation, not only to the visit, but also to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

“I will join (the visit) because I was one of the invited guests at the FIBA World Cup, which will be hosted by China. I was also invited at the opening,” Go said.

Duterte and the senator will also grace the match between the Philippines and Italy. He said that the President’s presence will boost the morale of the Philippine team.

“He will provide moral support. It will be a big boost to our team if the President will be at the sidelines, but I will be seated at the bench because I am their team adviser,” Go said.

Aside from that, Go disclosed that Duterte and Xi will possibly discuss Chinese warships sighted in Mindanao.

Secure what is ours

“I cannot speak in behalf of the President, but based on our recent conversation, they will probably talk about that. They’ll have a restricted meeting which will be a one-on-one conversation. The President has many issues to address with China,” Go said.

The senator assured that President Duterte will pursue the interests of the Philippines in their meeting, but said this will be done through diplomacy.

“I’m sure he will secure what is ours. The President also wants good relationship with China and this dispute will be settled through diplomacy,” he added.

Recently, Go affirmed presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo’s statement that the President demanded foreign vessels to ask clearance before passing through Philippine waters.

I hope that it would graduate into ways to talk about the arbitral ruling peacefully.

I will not allow a gratis agreement but I will not engage in a fight.

“What the President wants is to respect what is ours. If you are going to pass by, ask for clearance from our authorities,” Go told reporters. “When we pass by other countries’ (territory), we need to ask for permission. If they pass by here, they should ask for authority from our government.”

Recently, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the presence of five warships in Sibutu Passage in Mindanao.

Lorenzana previously said he was irked by the unannounced passing of these warships, which have been there since July.